Carton erecting machine



ug- 25, 1958 E.. E. GscHwlND ETAL E 2,848,926

CARTON ERECTING MACHINE Filed April 17, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 ilu-TMW* A202, 204, 2/0 IN VEN TORS.

EDOUARD GSCHWIND I,YRALFH N. GREENE ym@ 4M ATTORNEY Aug. 26, 958 E. E.GSCHWIND ET AL 3,648,926

CARTON ERECTING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 17, 1956 INVENTOR'.EDOUARD GSCHWIND BY RALPH N GREENE a f/ 2 ATTORNEY.

Aug. 26, 1958 Filed April 17, -1956 E. E. GSCHWIND ET Ai.

CARTON ERECTING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 /24 #su/ n I @afa-Ll i@ 75875'., f-92 ggd..

l :Si c@ 9a @Vu-5:11 L -a/ l: d/ /22 I fr v *80 f 7@ @a 75 I INVENTORSATTORNEY Aug. 26, 1958 El E.

GscHwlNn ETAB. 2,848,92

CARTON ERECTING MACHINE Filed April 17, 1956 INVENTUM. EDOUARD GSCHWINDInRALPH N. GREENE ATTORNEY INVENTORS. EDOUARD GSCHWIND BY RALPH N.GREENE ATTORNEY All@ 26, 1958 E. E. GscHwlND ET A1. 2,848,926

l vCARTON EREcTxNG MACHINE Filed April 17, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 IN V ENTORS. EDOUARD GSCHWIND BY RALPH N. GREENE ATTORNEY Unite. States2,848,925 Patented Aug. 26, i958 CARTON ERECTNG MACHINE Edouard lE.Gschwinrl and Ralph N Greene, .lacksonvill Fla., assignors, by mesneassignments, to @wens-illinois Glass Company, rToledo, Dhio, acorporation of @hic Application April 17, 1955, Serial No. 578,335

Claims. (Cl. gS--SD The present invention relates to novel apparatus forautomatically setting up a carton from a blank of foldable material suchas corrugated paperboard, for carrying out the operations involved insuch an operation in effective and reliable manner, and for ejectingfrom the apparatus the erected cartons.

The disclosed apparatus is specially designed for the erecting ofcartons having a bottom wall, side and end walls foldably securedthereto, flaps foldably secured to one opposed pair of side or end wallsand adapted to be folded alongside the other opposed pair of side or endwalls when the carton is erected, and panels foldably secured to theupper edges of said other opposed pair of side or end walls and adaptedto be folded over and preferably down inside the box. Means aretherefore provided for performing the necessary folding operations inthe desired sequence.

The machine is designed to function in a substantially continuousmanner, cartons being erected sequentially at one station and ejectedfrom the apparatus at another station so as not to interfere with theerection of new containers. A special feature of the apparatus heredisclosed is that each blank, as it is forced into the apparatus,engages the previously erected blank and moves that erected blank to anew position, means being provided in the apparatus for retaining thepreviously erected blank in its new position so as to limit the downwardmovement of the blank being erected.

One prime feature of the machine here under discussion is the specicmeans provided, in the form of appropriately positioned wedge-shapedblocks, for ensuring that the flaps secured to one pair of side or endwalls are folded up substantially perpendicular to those walls beforethe side and end walls themselves are folded up substantiallyperpendicular to the bottom wall.

The machine of the present invention is outstanding in simplicity,positiveness of operation and rapiditiy of operation. A series ofinterlocks are provided so that the various operative mechanismsfunction 'in proper timed relation in order to achieve the desiredresults. There are but three movable operative parts, to wit, a plungermovable into and out of a stationary die, folders for infolding the wallpanels secured to the upper edges of one pair of side or end Walls, anda bottom carton retainer to provide a bottom support for the blanksduring and after erection and for permitting erected cartons to escapefrom the machine. Separate and independent moving means are provided foreach of these operative elements. In the form here specificallydisclosed the plunger and the movable panel folders are powered byvalvecontrolled hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders. The bottom retainer ispowered by a solenoid. The solenoid is, of course, electricallyactuated, and so are the valves which control the plunger and panelfolder cylinders. Electrical energization of the solenoid and the Valvesis controlled by a series of switches provided on the machine andactuated by parts of the machine at appropriate times during a cycle ofoperation. The cycle is adapted to be started automatically as soon as ablank has been properly positioned above the die, there to be engaged bythe plunger and moved into the die. Such initiation of the cycle ofoperation is accomplished by means of switches adapted to be engaged bythe blank when the latter is in proper position and to actuate theplunger valve so as to cause the plunger to move into the die.`

By reason of the construction, arrangement and operative interconnectionof the various parts of the machine here under discussion, a simpleapparatus has been produced which is so reliable in operation as to makeit feasible for such machines to be acquired and used by concernsneeding only a moderate quantity of cartons. This is particularlysignificant in the fruit and vegetable industry, where individualgrowers or groups of growers wish to package their products incorrugated board boxes erected at the point of use but whose operationare not sufficiently extensive to warrant the great expenses involved inacquiring and using the types of carton erection machines heretoforeavailable. The present invention makes automatic machine erection ofcartons much more widely available.

To the accomplishment of the above, and to such other objects as mayhereinafter appear, the present invention relates to the constructionand arrangement of a carton erecting machine as defined in the appendedclaims and as described in this specification, taken together with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a side elevational view, partly broken away, of the machine ofthe present invention;

Fig. 2 is a three-quarter perspective view of the apparatus;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. l, themovable panel folders being shown in an intermediate position;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary end elevational View taken along the line 4--4of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of a blank adapted to be erected by theapparatus of the present invention, certain portions of that apparatusbeing shown in broken lines in the positions which they assume whenthe-blank is properly positioned above the die preparatory to beingforced into the die;

Fig. 6 is a schematic view illustrating the positions assumed by theblank, the plunger', and the wedge-like folding blocks at the verybeginning of the folding sequence;

Fig. 6A is a three-quarter perspective view of the blank showing theposition which the various parts assume a moment after the apparatus hasassumed its position shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 6B is a three-quarter perspective view of the blank showing thepositions which the parts assume at a later time in the movement of theplunger downward;

Fig. 7 is a schematic view showing the die, the wedgelike folding blocksand the blank, the plunger being shown in its lowermost position;

Fig. 8 is a three-quarter perspective View of the blank in the positionit assumes in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a schematic view showing the die, plunger, movable folders,and the means for moving said folders', all in the position which theyassume after the plunger has been withdrawn from the die;

Fig. l0 is a view similar to Fig. 9 but Without the plunger and showingthe folders moved to their operative folding position;

Fig. l1 is a schematic view showing the die, movable folders, means formoving the folders', bottom retainer, and means fOr moving the bottomretainers, the bottom retainers lbeing shown in their operative positionsupporting an erected blank;

Fig. l2 isa view similar to Fig. 11 but showing the to positions of thevarious parts as the folders move to their inoperative position and withthe bottom retainers in their inoperative position;

Fig. 13 is a bottom plan view of the apparatus of Fig. 12 showing thebottom retainers;

Fig. 14 is a three-quarter perspective view of the erected container;and

Fig. 15 is a schematic wiring diagram of the electrical controls for themachine.

The machine is mounted on a support generally designated 2 andcomprising legs 4 supporting a tabletop frame 6. The lower portion ofthe legs are reinforced by tie bars 8 and 10, and the upper portions ofthe legs 4 are secured together by tie bars 12 and 14. The centralportion of the tabletop frame 6 is provided with an aperture 16considerably greater in size than the outside size and shape of thecarton to be erected. Mounted on the tabletop 6 over the corners of theaperture 16 by means of brackets 17 are four wedge-like blocks 18, theupper surfaces 20 of the blocks 18 being inclined inwardly anddownwardly toward the central portion of the tabletop 6. Side guideplates 22 extend up from the tabletop 6 outside the blocks 18 and at thesides of the aperture 16. A stop plate 24 extends up from the tabletop 6adjacent the righthand end of the aperture 16 as viewed in Fig. 1.

Adjacent either end thereof is a switch having a plunger 28 projectingtoward the aperture 16 and covered by a movable or guidable plate 26.

A bracket 32 is secured to the rear'of the support 2 (the righthand sideas viewed in Fig. l), extends up above the `tabletop 6, and has an arm34 extending over the tabletop 6. The switches 30 may be mounted on thebracket 32. Secured to the arm 34 and extending out therefrom partiallyover the aperture 16 in the tabletop 6 is a support 36 upon which apower cylinder 38 is mounted, the cylinder 38 being either of thehydraulic or pneumatic type. In the form here specifically disclosed itis a pneumatic cylinder, Extending downwardly from the cylinder 38 is apiston rod 40 which carries at its lower end a plunger 42 ofsubstantially the same shape as the bottom wall of the container to beerected. The plunger 42 is in registration with the aperture 16 in thetabletop 6 and is', upon appropriate actuation of the cylinder 38,movable between its withdrawn position shown in Fig. l, well above thetabletop 6, and a projected position shown in Fig. 7 in which it passesthrough and beyond the aperture 16. The plunger 42 carries guide rods 46and 48 respectively, the rod 46 sliding through bushing 50 on thesupport 36 and carrying a finger element 52 Vadjustably positionablealong its upper end, the tip of the linger element 52 being engageable,when the plunger 42 is' projected through the aperture 16 in thetabletop 6, with the plunger 54 of a switch 56 mounted on the xedsupport 36. (See Fig. 7.) The rod 48 carries an adjusta'bly positionablefinger element 58 the tip of which is in line with a trip finger 60pivotally mounted on plate 62 secured to the side of the bracket arm 34,a tension spring 64 being connected between the portion 66 of the tripnger 60 and an anchoring element 68 on the plate 62. A switch 70 ismounted on the plate 62 and has a plunger 72 extending up therefrom to apoint immediately below the portion 66 of the trip finger 60. (See Fig.9.)

A folding die generally designated 74 is mounted on the support 2 bymeans of the support plates 75 so as to be located beneath the tabletop6 and in registration with the opening 16 therein. This de comprises endwalls 76 and side walls 78, and has an inner size and shapesubstantially the same as the desired outer size and shape of theerected container. Guide bars 80 extend upwardly and outwardly from thecentral portions of the side walls 78 of the die 74, being securedthereto by means of brackets 81. Auxiliary walls 82 incline upwardly andoutwardly from the topedges of the end walls 76 of the die to thecorresponding edges of the aperture 4 16 in the tabletop 6 adjacent thelower edges of the side guide plates 22.

A pair of shafts 84 and 86 are rotatably mounted on brackets 88 fastenedto the support plates 75, the shafts 84 and 86 being located just aboveand slightly to one side of the upper edges of the die side walls 78,and between those upper edges and the lower edges of the guidebars 80.These shafts are each provided with a pair of L-shaped arms 90, one oneach side of the guide bars 80, and these arms carry at their upper endsa bar 92 which extends substantially the full length of the die sidewalls 78. At one end each of the shafts 84 and 86 are provided withsprocket wheels 94 around which sprocket chains 96 extend, the lowerportions of the sprocket chains 96 passing around sprocket wheels 98journalled for rotation in the bracket 100 which extends across theframe 2. Mounted on and extending below the bracket 100 is a powercylinder 102, which may be either of the hydraulic or pneumatic type. Inthe form here specifically disclosed it is of the pneumatic type. Apiston rod 104 extends up from the cylinder 102 and carries a crosshead106 which is secured at each end, at 108, to the sprocket chains 96.Thus movement of the piston rod 104 between its extended position shownin Figs. l and 9 and its withdrawn position shown in Fig. l0 will causethe shafts 84 and 86 to rotate so that the bars 92 will assume theirouter positions shown in Figs. 1 and 9, in which they are beyond theopen top of the die 74, and their operative positions shown in Fig. 10in which they have moved into the die 74.

Carried by the shaft 86 at one end thereof is a trip linger 110 which,when the shaft 86 is rotated so that the folder bar 92 carried therebyis in its position shown in Fig. 10, will engage the plunger 112 of aswitch 114 mounted on the bracket 116.

Pivotally mounted on the outside of the support plates 75 by pins 118are box release hooks '120, the hooked part of each pair of hooksadjacent each side of the die 74 supporting a plate v122 which extendsacross the open bottom of the die 74 and is positioned below that openbottom by a distance substantially equal to the height of au erectedcarton. Springs 124 are Operative between the hooks 120 so as to urgethem toward one another, in which position, as best shown in Fig. ll,the plates 122 are inside a vertical projection of the inner surfaces ofthe die 74. Links 126 connect the plates 122 to solenoids 128 mounted onbrackets 130, and energization of the solenoids '128 are effective topull the links 126 outwardly, thus causing the hooks 120 to pivotoutwardly and move the plates 122 carried thereby to positions outside avertical projection of the interior surfaces of the die 74. (See Fig.l2.)

An air tank 132 is mounted on the frame 2, and appropriate pneumaticconnections 134 are provided between the air tank 132 and a valve 136which controls the application of air pressure within the cylinder 120.Suitable pneumatic connections 138 are provided between the air cylinder132 and the valve 140 controlling the application of pressure within thecylinder 38, the connections 138 including a pair of air pressureregulators 142 and 144 each provided with a pressure gauge 146 and 148respetively and separated by an air inlet connection 150 by means ofwhich the supply of air in the tank 132 may be replenished. The settingsof the regulators 142 and 144 will control the speed at which thepistons in the cylinders 102 and 38 respectively will operate.

A platform 152 is provided in the frame 2 beneath the die 74 and theplates 122 carried by the box release hooks 120. This platform is herespecifically disclosed as stationary, but it is within the scope of thepresent invention to make it in the form of a slow moving conveyor.

The blank generally designated 153, upon which the herein disclosedmachine is specifically designed to operate, is best shown in Fig. 5. Itcomprises a bottom message wall panel 154, side wall panels 156 and endwall panels 158 foldably connected thereto, aps 160 foldably connectedto the end walls 158 and otherwise separated from the blank by means ofcuts 162, and inner side wall panels 164 foldably connected to the upperedges of the side wall panels 156. The inner side wall panels 164 may be provided with tabs 166 adapted, when the container 1s erected, to belockingly received within apertures or depressions 168 appropriatelypositioned on the bottom Wall panel 154.

Operation The mode of operation of the present machine will now ybedescribed, the electrical interconnection between the various elements,as shown in Fig. 15, being explained in connection therewith.Preparatory thereto, it should be noted that the power for operation ofthe plungerA 42 and the movable folders 92 is derived pneumatically fromthe air tank 132 and that the valves 136 and 146 for the power cylinders102 and 38 respectively are electrically energized and controlled, andwill remain in a given position, once they reach that position, untilenergized in a contrary sense. The solenoids 128 are also electricallyenergized or controlled. Electrical power may be 110 volts A. C. and isstepped down to 8 volts by transformer 174, connected to the lines 170and 172 by lines 176 and 178 respectively. The S-volt output from thetransformer 174 is fed along lines 180 and 182 respectively to points184 and 186.

With the apparatus in its initial position, ready to operate upon ablank, the valve 140 for the cylinder 138 is energized so that theplunger 42 is withdrawn (up), the valve 136 for the cylinder 102 isenergized so that the piston rod 104 is extended (up), and the solenoids128 are cle-energized. Various operative parts of the machine willtherefore assume their position shown in Fig. l.

A blank 153 is then moved into position. When it is in position, and asmay best be seen from Fig. 6, each of its flaps 160 will be over thewedge-like blocks 18 and the blank 153 will thus be supported above thetabletop 6 on the raised outer portions of the blocks 18 as shown inphantom lines in Fig. l. Prior orientation of the blank 153 is assuredby sliding the Iblank be tween the side guide plates 22. When the blankis in position the righthand end thereof as viewed in Fig. 1 will engagethe plates 26, two of which are employed, one on each side of thecenterline of the tabletop 6. These plates 26 will thus be moved by theblank 153 so Aas to close the switches 30, which are connected inseries. A circuit may then be traced from point 184 through lines 188and 190 to the iirst switch 38, through that switch 3) and line 192 tothe second switch 30, through line 194 to the valve 140 and then throughreturn line 196 to point 186. The valve 140 will thus be energized tocause the piston rod 40 to be extended from the cylinder 38, the plunger42 thus being carried downwardly.

The plunger' 42 has a size and shape corresponding to the bottom panel154 of the blank 153 and is posi tioned in registration therewith. ltwill irst move downn wardly to the position shown in Fig. 6, and as itmoves beyond that position it will move the blank 153 down with it.Since the blocks 18 extend up above the tabeltop 6, at first only theflaps 160 of the blank 153 will be bent up to a position represented inFig. 6A. As the plunger 42 continues to move downwardly the end walls158 of the blank will engage with the inclined walls 82 so that the endwalls 158 will start to fold upwardly relative to the bottom wall 154.As the plunger 42 continues to descend the side walls 156 of the blankwill engage with the inclined walls 8), and hence they will commence tofold up with respect to the bottom wall 154. The blank will then assumea position such as that shown in Fig. 6B.

The plunger 42 moves downwardly into the die 74 fit 8 through the opentop thereof until the bottom wall 154 of the blank 153 is positionedbelow the upper edges of the die 74 by a distance substantiallycorresponding to the depth of an erected container. (See Fig. 7.) Whenit has reached this position the side walls 156 and the end walls 158will both be perpendicular to the bottom wall 154, and the flaps will bereceived inside the side walls 156, as shown in Fig. 8. The inner endwall panels 164 will remain upright.

When the plunger 42 has reached the lower limit of its travel the finger52 carried by the rod 46 will engage the plunger of the switch 56 toclose the latter. A circuit may then be traced from point 184 throughlines 188 and 1118 to the switch 56, through the switch S6 and alongline 212i) to the valve 146, and then along line 196 to point 186. Thevalve 148 will thus be energized to cause the piston rod 4d to bewithdrawn within the cylinder 38. Of course, the energization of thevalve 141i to piston rod projecting position (down) through the closingof the switches 30 is no longer in effect, since the switches 38 openedas soon as the blank was moved by the plunger 42 out of engagement withthe switch actuating elements 26.

While the plunger 42 was moving downwardly the iinger 58 carried by therod 48 engaged the trip inger 60 and caused that finger 66 to pivot in acounterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1. This had no effect onthe switch 78, and after the element finger 58 passed the trip inger 6dthe spring 64 returned the trip linger 6i) to its illustrated position.Upon upward movement of the plunger 42, however, engagement between theelement 58 carried by the rod 48 and the trip finger 60 will cause thelatter to pivot in a clockwise direction, the trip finger portion 66thus depressing the plunger 72 of the switch 78 so as to close theswitch (See Fig. 9.) A circuit may then be traced from point 184 throughline 188 to the switch lo and then from line 282 to valve 136 for thepower cylinder 182, the circuit being completed via line 264 to point186. Energization of the valve136 in this sense will cause the pistonrod 184 to be withdrawn within the cylinder 182. The corresponding'motion of the sprocket chains 96 will cause the shafts 84 and 86 torotate to move the arms 9@ and folding bars 92 from their positionsshown in Fig. 9 to their positions shown in Fig. l0. ln thus moving themovable folding bars 92 will engage the opstanding panels of the blank153 and fold thenl down into the container so that they extend along theinner surfaces of the aps 168 and so that their tabs 166 are lockinglyreceived within the apertures 168 in the bottom wall 154. ri`his willcomplete the erection of the container.

When the shafts 84 and 86 have moved to their position shown in Fig. 10the trip nger 110 will engage the plunger 112 of the switch 114 so as toclose the latter. A circuit may then be traced from point 184 throughline 206 to switch 114 and then, via lines 208 and 210, to the valve 136and the cylinder 102, the circuit being completed through line 204 topoint 186. The valve 136 will thus be actuated to cause the piston rod104 to be extended from the cylinder 182, the sprocket chains 96 willmove in the opposite direction, and the shafts 84 and 86 will rotate tobring the movable folding bars 92 back to their initial position.

The carton thus erected will be frictionally retained within the die 74.The apparatus will now be in condition for another cycle of operation,to be initiated when a new blank 153 is properly positioned over the die'74 so as to close the switches 38. As this next blank is forced intothe die '74 it witl engage the upper edges of the previously erectedblank and force that blank downwardly out through the open bottom of thedie 74.

In the form here specifically disclosed it is desired that some more orless positive means be provided for supporting the bottom of the blankbeing erected or at least positively preventing excessive downward move?ment of the blank 153 in the die 74 prior to the infolding of the panels164. It is here that the plates 122 carried by the box release hooks 120come into play, those plates defining a bottom carton support. When thepreviously erected container has been pushed out from the die 74 by theblank newly being erected, it will fall down onto and be supported bythe plates 122, and in this position will define a supoprt for, or atleast will provide a means for positively limiting the down- 'wardmovement of, the blank in the process of erection.

After the new blank has been erected, however, the previously erectedblank must be dispensed. Accordingly, one of the shafts 84 or 86, andhere shown as the shaft 86, is provided with a cam 212 (see Figs. 4 andll) having a raised portion 214 and a lower portion 216. The camcooperates with a pivotally mounted trip finger 218 which in turn isoperatively associated with plunger 220 of switch 222, a tension spring224 being active on the trip finger S as shown in Fig. 4, so as toretain the trip finger Zlf in a position close to but out of engagementwith the switch plunger 226. When the trip finger .218 engages with thelower portion 216 of the cam 212 the trip finger 218 will assume aposition in line with the spring 224 and out of engagement with theswitch plunger 229. When the the trip finger 218 is engaged with theraised portion 214 of the cam 212 it will assume a position at an angleto its spring 224. When the shaft $6 is rotating in a direction such asto move the folding plates 92 into the die 74 the direction of rotationof the cam 212 will be as shown in Fig. 4, and consequently the tripfinger Zl will still not engage with the switch plunger 226. When thefolding bars 92 have reached their fully operative position shown inFigs. l0 and ll the trip finger 2lb will engage the lower portion 126 ofthe cam .212 and will therefore assume a position in line with thespring 224 but still not oper atively engaging the switch plunger 220.As the folding bars 92 return to their normal positions shown in Figs. land 8 the trip finger 218 will engage the raised cam portion 214, andthis time will be pivoted clockwise from its spring urged position asviewed in Fig. 4, depressing the switch plunger 22% and closing theswitch 222. A circuit may then be traced directly from line 170 throughline 225 to switch 222, then through lines 226 and 228 to solenoid 123and then through line 230 to line 172. A circuit may similarly be tracedfrom line 226 through line 232 to the other solenoid 128, and thenthrough line 234 and line 236 to line 172. The solenoids 128 will thusbe energized, the box release hooks 120 will be pulled outwardly, andthe container supported by the plates 122 carried thereby will bepermitted to drop freely onto the platform 152. At some time prior tothe return of the folding bars 92 to their normal position the triplinger 21S will move off of the raised carn portion 2id andonto thelowered cam portion 226, the trip tinger 2ll8 will resume its springurged position, the solenoids ZE will be de-energized, and the Vsprings124 will pull the box release hooks 120 back to their normal position,in which the plates 122 carried thereby are beneath the open bottom ofthe die 74, and in position to receive and support the erected cartonthen in the die 74 when that carton is pushed out from the die 74 by thenext carton to be erected.

A manual control switch 238 may be provided, and may be mounted on thebracket arm 34, electrically in parallel with the switch 114 in order,when actuated, to cause the movable folding bars 92 to return to theirnormal position if they become jammed during automatic operation. Manualactuation of the exposed switch 56 will cause the plunger 42 to returnto its normal withdrawn position in the event that it should becomejammed.

It will be seen from the above description that the box erecting machineof the present invention is of extremely simplified construction and maybe manufactured at low cost. By reason of the arrangement andinterconnection of parts a fairly complicated folding sequence may beaccomplished in a positive and automatic manner. In actual operation themachine has shown itself capable o-f producing properly erected cartonsalmost as fast as blanks can be fed thereinto.

While but a'single embodiment of the present invention has been heredisclosed, it will be apparent that many variatio-ns may be madetherein, all within the spiritof the invention las defined in thefollowing claims.

We claim:

l. A carton erecting machine comprising a support, a blank folding diethe interior of which is substantially of the size and shape of theoutside of an erected carton, said die being mounted on said support andhaving an open top and an open bottom, a bottom carton retainer mountedon said support and movable between first and second positionsrespectively beneath and beyond the open bottom of said die at adistance from the open top thereof which is at least n times the depthof an erected carton, where n is any integer greater than l, whereby atleast two carton-erected blanks may be supported one above the other onsaid bottom support, at least the uppermost of said carton-erectedblanks beingy within said die, means for moving said bottom retainerbetween said first and second positions, a plunger movable into said dievia the open top thereof to a distance above said bottom retainer noless than the depth of a single carton-erected blank, and an interlockbetween said plunger and said means for moving said bottom retainereffective to move said bottom retainer from its first to its secondposition only after said plunger has moved into said die to saiddistance, whereby a blank moved into said die by said plunger will movethe preceding carton-erected blank down onto said bottom retainer andsaid preceding carton-erected blank will pass down beyond said bottomretainer after said plunger has moved the next succeeding blank intosaid die.

2. The carton erecting machine of claim l, in which the inner portion ofsaid die at least at its upper portion is of closely the same insidesize as the outside size of a carton-erected blank, thereby tofrictionally hold the upper of said carton-erected blanks'in placetherein, the interior of the defined structure being at least somewhatlarger than the outside size of a carton-erected blank for a distanceabove said bottom retainer substantially corresponding at least to thedepth of a single carton-erected blank, whereby the lower of saidcartonerected blanks is retained within said structure substantiallysolely by said bottom retainer and will fall out from said structurewhen said bottom retainer is moved to its second position.

3. The carton erecting machine of claim l, in which said machinecomprises panel folders mounted on said support and movable betweenfirst and second positions respectively beyond and over the open top ofsaid die, means for moving said panel folders between said first 4andsecond positions, and a second interlock between said plunger and saidmeans for moving said panel folders, said first mentioned and secondinterlocks being effective to cause said panel folders to move fromtheir first to second positions only after said plunger has moved intosaid die to said distance, and to cause said bottom retainers to movefrom their first to second positions only after said panel folders havemoved to their second positions.

4. The carton erecting machine of claim 3, vin which the inner portionof said die at least at its upper portion is of closely the same insidesize as the outside size of a carton-erected blank, thereby tofrictionally yhold the upper of said carton-erected blanks in placetherein, the interior of the dened structure being at least somewhatlarger than the outside size of a carton-erected blank for a distanceabove said bottom retainer substantially corresponding at least to thedepth of a single carton-erected'blank, whereby the lower of saidcartonerected blanks is retained Within said structure substantiallysolely by said bottom retainer and will fall out from said structurewhen said bottom retainer is moved to its second position.

5. The carton erecting machine of claim 3, in which said first mentionedand second interlocks are effective to cause the following 'sequence ofoperations: (l) plunger moves into die to said distance, (2) plungermoves out of die, (3) panel folders move from first to second position,(4) panel folders return to first position, (5) bottom retainer movesfrom first to second position.

6. The carton erecting machine of claim 1, in which said interlock iseffective to move said bottom retainer from first to second positiononly after said plunger has moved into and then out from said die.

7. A carton erecting machine comprising a support, a blank folding diethe interior of which is substanitally of the size and shape of theoutside of an erected carton, said die being mounted on said support andhaving an open top and an open bottom, a bottom carton retainer mountedon said support and movable between first and second positionsrespectively beneath and beyond the open bottom of said die at adistance from the open top thereof substantially corresponding to thedepth of an erected carton or to a multiple thereof, means for movingsaid bottom retainer between said first and second positions, a plungermovable into said die via the open top thereof to a distance above saidbottom retainer no less than the depth of a single carton-erected blank,and an interlock between said plunger and said means for moving saidbottom retainer effective to move said bottom retainer from its first tosecond position only after said plunger has moved into said die to saiddistance and then has moved out of said die, whereby said bottomretainer will at least indirectly define a bottom support for the blankmoved into said die by said plunger after said blank has been fullymoved thereinto.

8. The carton erecting machine of claim 7, in which said machinecomprises panel folders mounted on said support and movable betweenfirst and second positions respectively beyond and over the open top ofsaid die, means for moving said panel folders between said first andsecond positions, and a second interlock between -said plunger and saidmeans for moving said panel folders, said first mentioned and secondinterlocks being effective to cause said panel folders to move fromtheir first to second positions, only after said plunger has moved intosaid die to said distance, and to cause said bottom retainer to movefrom its first to second position only after said panel folders havemoved to their second positions.

9. The carton erecting machine of claim 8, in which said first mentionedand second interlocks are effective to cause the following sequence ofoperations: (l) plunger moves into die to said distance, (2) plungermoves out of die, (3) panel folders move from first to second position,(4) panel folders return to first position, (5) bottom retainers movefrom first to second position.

l0. A carton erecting machine comprising a support, a blank folding diehaving an open top, a plunger movable on said support through the opentop of said die between a first position within said die and a secondposition withdrawn from said die, means for moving said plunger, a firstcontrol element on said support adjacent said die and adapted to beoperatively engaged and actuated by n carton blank when the latter is inposition above said die, a second control element on said support, amember movable with said plunger and actuatingly operatively engageablewith said second control element when said plunger is in its firstposition, and operative connections between said first and secondcontrol elements and said means for moving said plunger effective, uponactuation of said first control element, to cause said plunger to movefrom its second to first position and, upon actua- 10I tion of saidsecond control element, to cause said plunger to move from its first tosecond positions.

11. In the carton erecting machine of claim l0, panel folders on saidsupport and movable between first and Isecond positions beyond and oversaid die, means for moving said panel folders, a third control elementon said support, a member movable with said plunger and actuatinglyoperatively engageable with said third control element by movement ofsaid plunger toward its second position, a fourth control element onsaid support, a member movable with said panel folders and actuatinglyoperatively engageable with said fourth control element when said panelfolders are in their second position, and operative connections betweensaid third and fourth control elements and said means for moving saidpanel folders effective, upon actuation of said third control element tocause said panel folders to move to their second position and, uponactuation of said fourth control element, to cause said panel folders tomove to their first position.

12. In the carton erecting machine of claim ll, said die having an openbottom, a bottom carton retainer mounted on said support and movablebetween first and second positions respectively beneath and beyond theopen bottom of said die, means for moving said bottom retainer, a fifthcontrol element on said support, an element movable with said panelfolders and actuatingly operatively engageable with said fifth controlelement upon movement of said panel folders toward their first position,and an operative connection between said fifth control element and saidmeans for moving said bottom retainer effective, upon actuation of saidfifth control element, to cause said bottom retainer to move to itssecond position and to cause said 'bottom retainer t-o move to its firstposition when said fifth control element is not actuated.

13. In the carton erecting machine of claim ll, said die having an openbottom, a bottom carton retainer mounted on said support and movablebetween first and second positions respectively beneath and beyond theopen bottom of said die, means for moving said bottom retainer, a fifthcontrol element on said support, an element movable with said panelfolders and actuatingly operatively engageable with said fifth controlelement upon movement of said panel folders toward their first position,said element being operatively disengaged from said fifth controlelement when said panel folders are in their first position, and anoperative connection between said fifth control element and said meansfor moving said bottom retainer, effective, upon actuation of said fifthcontrol element, to cause said bottom retainer to move to its secondposition when said fth control element is actuated and to cause saidbottom retainer to move to its first position when said fifth controlelement is not actuated.

14. In the carton erecting machine of claim ll, said die having an openbottom, a bottom carton retainer mounted on said support and movablebetween first and second positions respectively lbeneath and beyond theopen bottom and said die, means for moving said bottom retainercomprising resilient means for urging ysaid bottom retainer to its firstposition and forcing means for moving said bottom retainer to its secondposition in opposition to the action of said resilient means, a fifthcontrol element ou said support, an element movable with said panelfolders and actuatingly operatively engageable with said fifth controlelement upon movement of said panel folders toward their first position,and an operative connection between said fifth control element and saidforcing means effective to actuate said forcing means to move saidbottom retainer to its secondrposition when said fifth control elementis actuated and effective to render said resilient means active to movesaid bottom retainer to its first position when said fifth controlelement is not actuated,

15. In the carton erecting machine of claim 11, said die having an openbottom, a bottom carton retainer mounted on said support and movablebetween first and second positions respectively beneath an'd beyond theopen bottom of said die, means for moving said bottom retainercomprising resilient means for urging said bottom retainer to its firstposition and forcing means for moving said bottom retainer to its secondposition in opposition to the action of said resilient means, a fifthcontrol element on said support, an element movable with said panelfolders and actuatingly operatively engageable with said fifth controlelement upon movement of said panel folders toward their rst position,said element being operatively disengaged from said fifth controlelement when lsaid panel folders are in their first position, and anoperative connection between said fth References Cited in the le of thispatent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,287,032 Johnson Dec. l0, 1918 2,653,524Hickin Sept. 29, 1953 2,684,616 Hickin July 27, 1954 2,697,968 Cote etal Dec. 28, 1954 2,727,444 Wethe Dec. 20, 1955

